Trudell Medical International
January 18, 2012
Pharmacists ideally positioned to check inhaler technique
Many patients do not obtain all of the benefits from their inhaled medications because they do not use them correctly, and this can lead to poor asthma control.1
Guidelines recommend that healthcare professionals repeatedly check their patient’s inhaler technique and provide training as required.2
Pharmacists are in an ideal position to teach and check inhaler technique because they are the last healthcare providers to see patients before medication is dispensed and often have frequent contact with patients.
In a recent study by Giraud et al., researchers evaluated the effectiveness of inhaler training by pharmacists. The percentage of patients with optimal inhaler technique rose from 24% before to 79% after training. The training sessions did not take a long time – the median length was only 6 minutes.3 The authors concluded that inhaler training by pharmacists improved inhaler technique, asthma control and adherence.
AeroChamber Plus* Flow-Vu* Chambers are easy to use and incorporate a number of feedback tools to help improve inhalation technique. The exclusive Flow-Vu* Inspiratory Flow Indicator helps provide assurance of correct use by allowing the caregiver to: ensure a secure seal, coordinate actuation with inhalation and count patient breaths.
For more information about the AeroChamber Plus* Flow-Vu* Chamber and to access the patient counseling materials available, please visit our website www.aerochamber.com
1 Crompton GK et al. The need to improve inhalation technique in Europe: A report from the Aerosol Drug Management Improvement Team. Respiratory Medicine 2006; 100:1479-1494. 2 National Asthma Education and Prevention Program. Expert panel report 3: guidelines for the diagnosis and amanagement of asthma; 2007. Available from: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/asthgdln.pdf 3 Giraud V, Allaert FA, Roche N. Inhaler technique and asthma: Feasability and acceptability of training by pharmacists. Respiratory Medicine (2011) 105, 1815-1822.
Guidelines recommend that healthcare professionals repeatedly check their patient’s inhaler technique and provide training as required.2
Pharmacists are in an ideal position to teach and check inhaler technique because they are the last healthcare providers to see patients before medication is dispensed and often have frequent contact with patients.
In a recent study by Giraud et al., researchers evaluated the effectiveness of inhaler training by pharmacists. The percentage of patients with optimal inhaler technique rose from 24% before to 79% after training. The training sessions did not take a long time – the median length was only 6 minutes.3 The authors concluded that inhaler training by pharmacists improved inhaler technique, asthma control and adherence.
AeroChamber Plus* Flow-Vu* Chambers are easy to use and incorporate a number of feedback tools to help improve inhalation technique. The exclusive Flow-Vu* Inspiratory Flow Indicator helps provide assurance of correct use by allowing the caregiver to: ensure a secure seal, coordinate actuation with inhalation and count patient breaths.
For more information about the AeroChamber Plus* Flow-Vu* Chamber and to access the patient counseling materials available, please visit our website www.aerochamber.com
1 Crompton GK et al. The need to improve inhalation technique in Europe: A report from the Aerosol Drug Management Improvement Team. Respiratory Medicine 2006; 100:1479-1494. 2 National Asthma Education and Prevention Program. Expert panel report 3: guidelines for the diagnosis and amanagement of asthma; 2007. Available from: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/asthgdln.pdf 3 Giraud V, Allaert FA, Roche N. Inhaler technique and asthma: Feasability and acceptability of training by pharmacists. Respiratory Medicine (2011) 105, 1815-1822.